91To James Madison from John Hall and Others, 7 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 January 1813 , “ Marine Barracks Washington .” Members of the court-martial for Lt. John Brooks “gave their deliberate ⟨d⟩ecision, on the charges produced against that ⟨o⟩fficer, on Thursday the 24th. Decr., and … a ⟨r⟩econsideration of the Sentence was ordered by ⟨th⟩e Hono. Secretary of the Navy and the Court re⟨a⟩ssembled and came again to a decision on ⟨T⟩hursday the 31st. Ultimo; since...
92To James Madison from Aaron Lyle, 7 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 January 1813 , “ Washington City .” “I take the liberty of Recommending James M. Riddle of Sommerset County Pa. as I believe a suitable caracture” to fill one of the two vacant territorial judgeships. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Riddle”). 1 p.; docketed in an unidentified hand, “recommends Mr. Riddle as Judge in Louisiana or Indiana Territories.” Aaron Lyle (1759–1825) of...
93To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 6 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
The very Kind and flattering manner in which you offered me a seat in the Cabinet, yesterday, has made a very deep impression upon my mind. Under the influence of this impression, and with a sincere desire to act in conformity with your wishes, I have reviewed the reasons which then induced me to decline that honorable distinction. This review has terminated in the conviction, that I am not...
94From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, [5 January] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of have been some time on hand. I believe it may be assumed, that no meeting of Congress will take place immediately after the 4th. of March. The Senate has usually been detained a few days, for the sake of appointments growing out of the laws of session. It is always possible, and must be so considered at present, that other business requiring their decision, may prolong their...
95To James Madison from Alexander Stuart, Shadrach Bond, and Edward Hempstead, 5 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 January 1813, Washington. “The Undersigned beg leave … to State to the President … that they Consider Nathaniel Pope Esqr Secretary of the Illinois Territory as a Gentleman of the first intelligence, talents, work, and integrity. That the office he now holds cannot in our opinion be filled by any One with more ability than by him, and that his reappointment to that office will give general...
5 January 1813, Walpole, New Hampshire. Writes to communicate to JM “the principle of a long desired discovery …, that of perpetual motion.” Uses the example of waterwheels to demonstrate the usefulness of force. Because he does “not think it right to sell the efforts of reason in discoveries,” he will “make a present of it” to his country. Does not “even think proper at present to reveal” his...
97From James Madison to Creed Taylor, 4 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
Understanding that a Clerk will be wanted for a Chancery Court at Fredg. I have yielded to the request of the friends of Mr. R. M. Chapman, who is my neighbor & acquaintance, so far as to join them in bearing testimony to his personal worth & reputed qualifications for the duties of such an appointment. Being ignorant of the other names which may be before the Judges, it would not be in my...
98To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [4 January] 1813 (Madison Papers)
I do not believe that the appointmt. of Govr. Tompkins would be either eligible or calculated to inspire confidence. No person thinks him equal to the place at such time as this. The office requires first abilities & frightens those who know best its difficulties. Dearborn & Mr Monroe have shrunk from it, & so will, I suspect, Crawford. Respectfy. Yours RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison...
99To James Madison from Benjamin Morgan, 4 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
On the 21st of June last I received a letter from the Secretary of War informing me that I was appointed Deputy Commissary for this District and desiring If I accepted of the appointment to forward on my bond with two surities for the sum of ten thousand dollars for the faithful performance of my trust. Being assured by my Northern friends that our Country would be involved in War with Great...
100To James Madison from the Ohio General Assembly, 4 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 January 1813. “It has pleased Divine Providence, that this general assembly should convene under circumstances, new, replete with interest, and of great national concern. While the moral and political convulsions of Europe have shaken empires from their centre, this nation has, alone pursued a peaceful policy. It has grown in wealth, it has increased in importance, until its power has become...
101To James Madison from Joseph Wheaton, 3 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you from Mansfield Decr. 31. and detailed to you the measures taken to insure a Speady March to Head Quarters. The ordinance & Stores moved about two Miles on that day in hopes of making considerable distance the next. Unfortunately the thawy weather had much more broken up the road than was immagined, and the next day 1st. Jany it raind incessantly very hard & wa[r]m all day. Capt...
102To James Madison from Philip Sisson, 3 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 January 1813, Tiverton. Has read in the newspapers that JM is “to cause to Be Bult an addition to our Navy four Ships fit for Battle Ships and Six forty gun frigits.” Offers to “have one of them Bult within the State of Rhode-island or the town of troy State of masachusetts.” RC ( DNA : RG 45, Misc. Letters Received). 1 p. Sisson had read the act to increase the navy, which was approved on 2...
103To James Madison from John Binns and Others, 2 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 January 1813. “At a very numerous and respectable meeting of citizens of the United States, natives of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, held in the city of Philadelphia January 2, 1813, to consider the proclamation of the Prince Regent of the 26th October, 1812 (a copy of which is enclosed), it was resolved to communicate to you, sir, the sentiments of the meeting on this...
104To James Madison from J. A. P. Poutingon, 2 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 January 1813 , “ Criminal residence ,” Washington . Reports having been sent by JM five times to the office of the secretary of war: “and when I go for Justice in that office, I am ordered out by a Clerk.” Repeats his appeals to “Generous James Madison,” seeking a five-minute audience with JM to prove himself. “When I loosed all what I had, I lost the Key, who open the mouth of the...
105To James Madison from Levin Winder, 2 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 January 1813, Annapolis. Transmits to JM “a Copy of a law passed by the General Assembly of Maryland” and requests that he “lay it before the Congress of the United States at their present Session.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 12A-D1); letterbook copy ( MdAA : Executive Letter Book, fol. 225). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Winder. For enclosure, see n. 2....
106To James Madison from Richard Rush, 1 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
Mr Ingersoll has sent me on the enclosed letter from Philadelphia, which, for the sake of the sentence it contains about impressment, I venture to enclose for your eye. Mr Ingersoll is not, as Mr King supposes, engaged in any publication upon this subject. He is investigating it, with others, preparatory to his congressional career, which I please myself with the hope will be prominent and...
107To James Madison from William Wingate, 1 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
I feel it my duty at So alarming a Crisis of our National Goverment as this moment exhibits, for to address you on So important occasion, not doubting you all will give it its due weight. Firstly, Shall observe that a regular Army has become the only Safety and bullwork of our Country, and that the drafted Malitia and Volunteer Corps are more fatal and dangerous than our open Enemies, this has...
108From James Madison to Thomas Lloyd, 1 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 January 1813. “J. Madison will see Mr. Lloyd as he requests tomorrow morning at 10. OC.” RC ( PPACHi : Thomas Lloyd Papers). 1 p. Dated “Jany. 1.”; year assigned on the basis of evidence presented in n. 1. Thomas Lloyd (1756–1827), a Federalist sympathizer and skilled stenographer, had edited the Pennsylvania ratification debates on the Constitution published in 1788 and had reported the...
109To James Madison from Robert Patterson, 1 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 January 1813 , “ Mint of the U. States .” Forwards an annual report on the operation of the Mint. Enumerates gold, silver, and copper coins struck, amounting to $1,115,219.50 in value. “The supply of gold & silver bullion still continues to be abundant; the deposits for coinage, at this time in our vaults, amounting to upwards of half a million of dollars.” RC and enclosures, two copies (...
110Presidential Proclamation, 1 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 January 1813. Revises building terms and conditions for the city of Washington. Suspends the first and third articles of the 17 Oct. 1791 building regulations until 1 Jan. 1814. Adds an exception that “no wooden covering more than three hundred twenty square feet, or higher than twelve feet from the sill to the eve [ sic ] shall be erected, nor shall any such house be placed within twenty...
111From James Madison to Paul Hamilton, 31 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of yesterday, signifying your purpose to retire from the Dept. which has been under your care. On an occasion which is to terminate the relation in wch. it placed us, I can not satisfy my own feelings, or the tribute due to your patriotic merits & private virtues, without bearing testimony to the faithful zeal, the uniform exertions, and unimpeachable integrity, with...
112To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 31 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I respectfully trust you will excuse this second letter, when you know the circumstances, under which it is written. Since I had the honor to address you on the 17th. Instant, I have received very urgent tho’ polite applications from Jacob Eustis, Esquire, of Boston, Messrs. Gansevort & Lagrange of Albany & Aaron R. Levering, Esquire, of Baltimore all late agents for this office to Settle or...
113To James Madison from Joseph Wheaton, 31 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
As I Stated in my last I Sent of[f] two hundred horses to the Mohecan Settlement where I had made arrangemts for forage—on the 27—they returned yesterday and this day—though Eighteen Miles from this—and packed and brought me 600 Bushels of corn—in the mean time all my hands left that could handle a tool was imployed in Shoeing horses, and repairing wagons—Making axletrees—&ca—this afternoon...
114To James Madison from Paul Hamilton, 30 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having devoted unremittedly more than thirty years of my life to public service, in various situations, in all of which, I feel a consciousness of having done my duty according to my best judgment and understanding; and being now about to withdraw from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy with which you honored me, permit me to ask you whether, in your opinion, there has been any thing in...
115To James Madison from Joseph Wheaton, 29 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
We arrived at this post 27. at noon after a march of 36 days—the most difficult of any I ever experienced in any period of Service I have Seen—the Season of the year most of all unfavorable, and it was So rainy and damp that the Sun has not appeared to us five days of the time—that we have been plunging through mud mire and frost cotinually [ sic ]. The whole country through which we have...
116To James Madison from Adam Seybert, 29 December 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 December 1812, Washington. “It is reported, that Doctor Thomas Ewell, a surgeon in the Navy of the United States, has tendered his resignation, and that a successor, to the vacancy of Hospital Surgeon at the marine barracks of this City, is to be appointed. Allow me to lay before you the pretensions of Doctor Edward Cutbush, a native of Philadelphia and now a surgeon in the Navy of the U....
117To James Madison from Jonathan Dayton, [ca. 28 December] 1812 (Madison Papers)
Letters of congratulation are not the object of the writer, altho’ no one more sincerely rejoices at the defeat of your enemies. No one more deeply laments that the military arrangements, movements & disasters of the late summer campaigns, improperly imputed to the Head of the Governmt. had, for a moment shaken the confidence, or alienated the affections of some portions of the community. The...
118To James Madison from the Inhabitants of Harrison County, Indiana Territory, 28 December 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 December 1812. “Your Memorialists have settled on the extreme Frontiers of this Territory bounded as follows on the N & N E by Driftwood, on the S Mishkakitac and S E by the Pigeon Roost Settlement where we have been and are still constantly assailed by the Horrid and relentless fury of the Inhuman and remorseless Savages. Three of our most Respectable Citizens have already fell a Sacrifice...
119To James Madison from Thomas Leiper, 27 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I know what is well meant will be well received by you. From that circumstance I will proceed and I trust I shall put nothing on record but what shall have a tendence to the public good. I am pleased to a very high degree that the Secretary of State has sent for the bearer Captain Callender Irvine this no doubt is with a view of obtaining information and in my opinion their are few men more...
120To James Madison from David Meade Randolph, 26 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
The subject of my communication to you last winter, appearing of still greater importance, I am induced to a repetition of the liberty under which I then wrote to you. The accompanying packet to my Son, contains the duplicate of a letter I wrote to the Honl. Mr. Quincey by a private hand last fall on the same subject, as also a transcript of a correspondence I was permitted to make between the...